G'day folks!!

So... just arrived in Airlie beach a few hours ago after a 13 hour overnight bus journey from Hervey Bay-urgh!! Firstly would like to thank you all for those sundances you did as it worked- had gorgeous weather for the whole of our time on Fraser Island! Will attempt to update you now after a very hectic few days!

We spent a night in hostel in Hervey bay before leaving for Fraser Island the following morning!

Day 1

8.40 pick up to port for ferry crossing, arrived on the island about half 9ish where we were met by our ranger 'Ranger chris'. We were in a group of 40- i was trying to imagine how it ws going to work with 40 of us and one tour guide but was pleasantly surprised! Boarded our 4x4- it was more like a lorry but a coach inside! Buckled up and we were off...ready for our first day on the world Heriatage Sand Island, after a very bumpy but fun ride through the rainforest, getting to know some of our fellow tourists..we arrived at Basin Lake- WOW! A beautifully clear freshwater lake surrounded by the whitest sand I had ever seen! With just a short stop here, Chris showed us some of the lovely insects we came accross including a 3cm long red ant that I found on my foot..eeek, then we went for a walk around the lake! Chris then sent us on a Bushwalk through the rainforest, with us all having flop flips on was quite amusing, the amount of stubbed toes (mainly mine may I add) after what seem like all morning we arrived at central station picnic area to stop for lunch! Expecting some ham sarnies.. chris pulled out an excellent buffet from underneath the truck..yummy! Then headed off on another about 2k walk- i think he was trying to tell us something- he then met us and we drove down the narrow dirt tracks to find ourselves at Lake Mckensie! It was amazing, just like the photographs, crystal clear fresh water and white sands, after many 'kodak moments' we went for a swim- a young lad approached us with a fresh water turtle he had caught in the lake, so Claire and I had a hold! :-) We then headed back to the beach to soak up a bit of sun! Headed back to the truck for tee and coffee and cookies then we driven to our accomadation! Arrived at our lodge, was luxurious compared to some of the dorms, wasn''t too keen on the amount of insects though- I know such GIRLS!! :-) Feeling quite exhausted couldnt allow ourselves to stop and knowing that happy hour was at 5.30- quick shower and headed to the bar! dinner was served, chilli burritoes- v nice! Had a few beverages with the friends we's met then finally gave up fighting my eyes and rolled tio bed!

Day 2

Nice and early 7am start- grabbed a bowl of cereal as no time for the cooked breakie they'd put on! Travelled down roller coaster road and it was cleverly choosing the back of the bus rapidly put my seatbelt on! Then emergency stopped- Chris jumped out and picked up this huge carpet python he had spotted, after lots of screams, i had a feel, it felt like rubber! Claire hesistated going for a wee in the bushes after that one!! We then headed to the beach via Stonetool Sandblow lookout (see pics)! We then drove down 75mile beach stopping off at red canyon (see pics) before heading to Indian Head rock! Here we climbed to the top of this rockface, the view was amazing! Next stop was the champayne pools, after lunch headed down to the pools, very rough with the waves crashing over the sharp rocks, so we found a rock to sunbathe on and watch the men cut their feet!! Then headed back down the beach to stop at Maheno shipwreck and E-Lie Creek where we waded up the creek and floated back down dodging the freshwater eels! Headed back to camp to shower before heading to guys cabin for pre dinner drinks on their verander! Few dirnks and dinner in the bar then headed back to cabins to empy our beer fridges- wisely left the guys to go back to party into the early hours knowing we had another day ahead of us! Good ngihyt sleep apart from being woken at 2am by graham trying to get into our room thinking it was his! ha!

Day 3

Another 7am start, with a few more drinks that the previous night decided needed a cooked breakie to face the day! No sign of the guys... Frank finally turned up, explaining that the others were too hungover and graham had twisted his ankle (turned out he broke it) very wise move heading to bed early me thinks!! Headed off for 3rd and final day, stopping off at a tree that looked like a dragon, quite random, we arrived at Lake Wabby. Trekked down throught he rainforest to fins a small freshwater lake surrounded oneside by vegetation and the other by massive sand dunes and in the backround the ocean- deffo a Kodak moment! Got to do some sandboarding down the dunes into the lake- great fun! Then hiked over the dunes to the beach the other side, I'll have u know walking on sand isn't easy- i suppose we were complaining we weren't exercising and piling ont he pounds!! After a quiick dip in the ocean headed to Eurong Beach resort for a fabulous buffet lunch in their restaurant! After lunch headed to Birribeen Lake for some more relaxation- similar to Lake McKensie with Clearer waters, was very hot here, so spent a short while working on the tan! :-) Time to head back in time to shower before catching the ferry back to Hervey :-( Really didn't want to leave this place, definately the best 3 days of Aus so far, so relaxing! Boarded the ferry, thought we'd have a drink to say farewell...and you'll never believe it- G&T in a can- couldnt get any better (nowhere near like one of yours though mum)!! Arrived back at bus terminal in Hervey feeling shattered and with a 6 hour wait till 12.30 overnight coach to Airlie... luckily we found a cinema so treked there with out backpacks and watched a film! So there we are, Fraser Island done but it definately lived up to expectations..all we need now is for the sun to shine in the Whitsundays ready for our 3day sailing tour starting on Tuesday! Enjoy the piccies and take care, Loz xxx